.

Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

INUVIK - For a few moments Richard Rogers could only stand silently in awe as he watched the last of the crowd file out of the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation building Friday afternoon.

For an hour and a half about 250 people flooded the venue to support a barbecue fundraiser that will help his wife Marilyn stay in Edmonton to look after their son who is undergoing chemotherapy.

Sonia Rinas hands Cathy Cockney a hamburger at the barbecue fundraiser for the Rogers family last week. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photo

"I don't know what to say. I'm kind of shocked," said Richard. "I thought there'd be a few people here, but it looks like the whole town turned out."

The event was put on by several of Marilyn's colleagues at the Health Services Administration department who are also planning a pancake breakfast and steak supper.

Though he was stunned by the turnout, it affirms that Inuvik is his newfound home.

He arrived here in 1988 from Nova Scotia and said he felt an immediate connection to the land and people. Instead of returning to the East Coast after some winter fishing, he decided to settle down here.

"They've treated me like I'm actually from here after I lived here for a year or so," he said. "It's home."

It's been a traumatic few months for the family. Marilyn will stay with her 14-year-old son while he undergoes cancer treatment, which is expected to last until July. When he enters remission, he'll undergo surgery to repair his arm where the cancer originated.

Meanwhile Richard is staying home with the remaining kids.

"I miss my wife and son but we're sticking together," he said.

He said Dustin, who is an avid cadet and hockey player, is showing a brave face. The father of four said he realizes how lucky he and his family are for the enormous support they've received.

"I have a lot of friends in this town and we're pretty lucky. We're lucky that we have jobs that would let us get away like this," he said. "A lot of people aren't as lucky and don't have the support we do. It's pretty traumatic."

Julie Candow was one of many who didn't think twice about showing up to support the event.

"It's a great idea," she said. "They need the support. He's a little kid. I have two little kids. I would hate to be in that situation, so it's great to see everybody helping out. When kids are involved, you have to help the kids."

Al Rice, one of Marilyn's colleagues and one of the main organizers of the fundraiser, said he was thrilled at the turnout.

"That tells me that people here care," he said while manning the barbecue. "Not only did the people show up, but they were coming by and donating before we had the barbecue. People are thinking of Dustin in the community."

Luckily Dustin's cancer is contained, and his dad is confident his boy will be back home as strong as ever on schedule. Richard said he's especially thankful for the support provided by his boss Dickie Mistakenchief at Treeline Aviation Services, who he said has gone out of his way to be accommodating, rearranging schedules and providing time off when needed.

"Just that support, and seeing everyone come out like this, reaffirms the fact that I'm from Inuvik," said Richard. "This is my hometown. I'm glad I'm in Inuvik. When the time comes I'll be there for them."